About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, according to the American Stroke Association, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and call 9-1-1 for help.

“With stroke, time is brain,” said Dr. Dan Chehebar, RMH neurologist and stroke medical director. “With current treatment therapies, you have three hours to give the clot-busting drugs that may reduce brain damage. As time goes on, more damage is going to occur.”

The signs of stroke are:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance

Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in America, and about 795,000 Americans will have a stroke this year.

Dr. Chehebar emphasized that if you or someone with you experience any of the symptoms of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Don’t drive, or have someone take you, to the hospital.

“Our EMS personnel are specially trained to work with suspected stroke patients,” Dr. Chehebar said. “By calling 9-1-1, EMS can get you here faster and safer than if you drove yourself. The work our area EMS personnel do is a huge part of why so many members of our community are stroke survivors and not victims.”

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